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TCAL Annual Conference

Professional development for academic library directors and leaders

Registration is open!

The TCAL 2023 Annual Conference will be held September 18-19, 2023, at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center in College Station.

Registration rates

Member (regular, Aug 1- Sep 11) $179

Non-member (regular, Aug 1-Sep 11) $219

*Please note: if this is your first time logging into TLA’s new online portal, you will need to reset your password. Learn more here.

We are honored to have Dr. Michelle Cantú-Wilson as the keynote speaker of the TCAL 2023 Conference. She is a member of the Board of Trustees at San Jacinto College; and was previously the Director of Teaching and Learning Initiatives and Special Projects and a faculty member for the developmental education department.

Keynote address: “Hope is a Discipline: Finding a Renewed Purpose through Self-Awareness.”

Description: When the rivers of inspiration run dry in the workplace, climate, culture, productivity, and connectivity are greatly impacted. Is it possible to reset? As a collective, how can we find renewal in the workplace? In this keynote address, participants will learn about the value of self-awareness as it relates to the pursuit of a healthier mindset.

Dr. Cantú-Wilson will speak at 9:15 AM on Monday, September 18.

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Brunch and Tuesday keynote

Ay, Ay, AI! What’s Going On with ChatGPT and Generative AI?

Program Description: Newly released AI tools for writing (such as ChatGPT) and visual art (such as Midjourney) are poised to dramatically disrupt multiple industries, including art, education, computer programming, and librarianship. We explore these tools through the lens of curiosity rather than suppress them.

Speakers: Elizabeth Gross, Assistant Professor of Library Science & Technology at The College of Education at Sam Houston State University; Henry Stokes, Broadband Technology Coordinator, TSLAC.

This session will take place 8:30 am – 9:30 am on Tuesday September 19.

Here is the conference map.

Download the Full Schedule

Download

Check out our TCAL Conference podcast episode on the #LibrariesTransformTX podcast!

Cynthia Rodriguez, Director of Library Services at Laredo College Libraries, and chair-elect of the Texas Council of Academic Libraries, is our guest for this episode. She shares all the reasons we’re excited for the upcoming TCAL annual conference, Sept 18-19 in College Station, from networking with other academic library leaders to the keynote address from Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson.

LISTEN

Schedule at a Glance

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Informal Happy Hour – Dinner on your own

6 pm – 8 pm

Monday, September 18, 2023

Registration	7:30 am – 9 am
New Deans/Directors/Interim Directors Meeting with TCAL Board	8 am – 8:30 am
Conference Opening Welcome – TCAL Chair, Karen Locher Announcement of TCAL Board Elections	9 am – 9: 15 am
Keynote Speaker – Dr. Michelle Cantu-Wilson Hope is a Discipline: Finding a Renewed Purpose through Self-Awareness	9:15 am – 10:30 am
Break/Visit with Vendors	10:30 am – 11 am
Texas Library/Information School Deans Panel	11 am – Noon
Lunch	Noon – 2 pm
Concurrent University System Meetings Texas A&M System Library Directors’ Meeting Texas State System Library Directors’ Meeting University of Texas Library Directors’ Meeting	Noon – 2 pm
Concurrent Division Meetings TCCJCL (Texas Council of Community/Junior College Libraries) TCSUL (Texas Council of State University Libraries) TICUL (Texas Independent College and University Libraries)	2 pm – 2:45 pm
Break	2:45 pm – 3 pm
Round Table Discussions Accreditation – Moderator: Tracey Mendoza Succession – Moderator: Cate Rudowsky Recruiting & Hiring – Moderator: Lee Hilyer	3 pm – 4 pm
Networking Reception	4 pm – 6 pm
Dinner on Your Own

Tuesday, September 19

Registration	7:30 am – 8:30 am
Brunch and Tuesday keynote Ay, Ay, AI! What’s Going On with ChatGPT and Generative AI? Speakers: Elizabeth Gross, Assistant Professor of Library Science & Technology at The College of Education at Sam Houston State University; Henry Stokes, Broadband Technology Coordinator, TSLAC.	8:30 am – 9:30 am
Break/Checkout	9:30 am – 10 am
TCAL Business Meeting Secretary/Treasurer Budget Report TSLAC Update, Gloria Meraz, State Librarian Texas Digital Library Update, Kristi Park, Executive Director TLA Legislative Report, Wendy Woodland, Director of Communications and Advocacy, TLA THECB Update, Elizabeth Mayer	10:15 am- 11:30 am
Incoming TCAL Board Meeting	11:30 am – Noon

Cancellations and Substitutions

Cancellations received on or before September 1, 2023 will receive a refund, less a 20% administrative fee. Requests made after September 1, are non-refundable. Refunds will be processed within 60 days following the conclusion of the conference. All registration cancellations must be made in writing (email) to TLA by September 1. No phone requests can be accepted.

Substitutions of registrations to another individual must be made in writing (email) by September 14, 2023 to Christy Reynolds. No phone requests can be accepted. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for all financial obligations associated with that substitution.

We thank the sponsors of the TCAL Annual Conference:

Signature Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Reach out to Casey Rice at caseyr@txla.org for more information.

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